USA, CT: Epicure Brewing to open its doors on June 8

After a year of renovating its leased space, Epicure Brewing will open its doors June 8 at 40 Franklin St., the former Norwich Bulletin production room space. Unlike other downtown pubs, including These Guys Brewing a few doors up the street at 78 Franklin St., Epicure won't serve food, theday.com reported on May 26.

Menus from downtown Norwich restaurants will be on hand at Epicure, and the six-member ownership team will invite customers to bring food to the 100-seat taproom lounge as they try signature brews with colorful and meaningful names.

There's the “Lightning Strikes Twice” oatmeal stout in honor of head brewer Ken Thiffeault and his wife, Kerrie, whose house in Canterbury was struck by lightning last August for the second time. Ken Thiffeault's rusted home brewing tank pulled from the resulting fire now hangs over the main entrance.

The freshly varnished L-shaped bar also is a fire survivor. The wood was salvaged from the main banquet hall at Wright's Mill Farm in Canterbury, which burned to the ground last year.

A small brass plaque embedded in the corner states that the bar is dedicated to Wright's Mill Farm and to Tony Denning of Maple Leaf Farm. Denning had planned to create the bar top for the brewhouse owners, but died of lung cancer before he could do it, said Rob Miller of Canterbury, a co-owner.

Because there are six owners, the group incorporated a hexagon into the brewing company logo and carried that design into the bar. Three hex-shaped tables will accommodate parties of six, and can be fitted together for larger parties, co-owner Jason Vincent said.

In addition to service in the 100-seat taproom, customers can purchase bottled growlers to take home. Regulars may join an annual or lifetime mug membership or purchase custom beer steins.

“We're all local people,” Vincent said. “We grew up in the region, and we've been all over the world. We've seen things like this in other places and wondered 'why not here?' We're here, so we're making it happen here.”

Epicure Brewing will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

“We are excited to be in downtown Norwich,” co-owner Jenny Vincent said. “This community has been welcoming, and we are in the middle of an emerging cool place. We are trying to create an environment where our customers can visit us, or explore many of the other quality dining options, including a nearby brewpub.”

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